For some reason, I thought we'd already created this particular thread, but as I can't find it in the "Keats around the world" list, I decided to start one up

So, here I was last night, in my jammies, minding my own business watching an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation before bed and what should happen but Deanna Troy picks up an old Victorian-looking book of several hundred pages, turns to Riker with a sentimental smile, reads the book spine and says, "Ode to Psyche by John Keats" (as if it was "their" poem--how Romantic ) I thought to myself, "damn! I didn't know there was a book-length version of the Ode!"

I've been searching for recordings of Nightingale birdsong that I can use in a poetry recitation I'm giving for Toastmasters on Monday and in this search I've found some great examples. Though I can't use this one because of their public use rules, I thought I'd share it with you because it is of the best For those of you who have Windows Media Player, all you have to do is click the link at the page about Keats and you will hear what *he* must have heard when he was inspired to write one of his greatest Odes. Enjoy!

I'm beginning to think that one of the writers on Star Trek: The Next Generation was a Keats fan. . .he was mentioned *again* on one of tonight's episodes. In this instance, Data was doing a poetry recital of his own works (and boring everyone in his audience silly). Before his last poem--by way of introduction--he said that, in the tradition of John Keats and --some other made-up poet who lived in the 22nd century--he had composed an Ode. In this case, it was an Ode to his cat, Spot. Ok, the poem was hillarious. Data referred to Spot using every scientific term imaginable and recited the poem in the most unassuming dead-pan, it was a great performance! (Keats, who I have read from his contemporaries read his own poems in just as dull and monotonous way as Data) would have been pleased!

Malia wrote:I'm beginning to think that one of the writers on Star Trek: The Next Generation was a Keats fan. . .he was mentioned *again* on one of tonight's episodes. In this instance, Data was doing a poetry recital of his own works (and boring everyone in his audience silly). Before his last poem--by way of introduction--he said that, in the tradition of John Keats and --some other made-up poet who lived in the 22nd century--he had composed an Ode. In this case, it was an Ode to his cat, Spot. Ok, the poem was hillarious. Data referred to Spot using every scientific term imaginable and recited the poem in the most unassuming dead-pan, it was a great performance! (Keats, who I have read from his contemporaries read his own poems in just as dull and monotonous way as Data) would have been pleased!

I used to really like Star Trek The Next Generation - I'm not a trekkie but I do have a soft spot for it sometimes...

They always seemed to be well written too - obviously at that age I was more interested in the sexy ship-counsellor chick whatever her name was - Diana Troy was it??

I found Data's Ode to Spot! Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks it's hillarious.

Here it is:

"Ode to Spot" by Lieutenant Commander Data

Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature,
An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature.
Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses
Contribute to your hunting skills and natural defenses.
I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations,
A singular development of cat communications
That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection
For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents.
You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance.
And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion,
It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion.
Oh Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display
Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array,
And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend,
I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.

Last edited by Malia on Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.